Sunday, April 26, 2009

COMMENTS: Division sweet division. The Dodgers are now 13-2 against NL West opponents and go for another sweep of the Rockies today. The offense has made like a needle and found its groove, as the Dodgers are averaging six runs a game and have scored in the first inning ten of their 18 games (according to Steve Lyons on last night's post-game show). And there's still room for improvement, if Russell Martin can build on yesterday's four-RBI performance.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers' pitching situation is evolving faster than you can say (Danny) Darwin. ("We're not whole yet in the pitching staff," allows Joe Torre.) Presumptive anchor Hiroki Kuroda will be returning to Los Angeles today to have the dreamy Dr. Neal ElAttrache ElExamine his strained left oblique, but rookie James McDonald—baby steps!—got his first official win yesterday. In the bullpen, last night's hero Ramon Troncoso and Ronald Belisario continue to make their cases to fill in the gaps behind Jonathan Broxton. Even Hong-Chih Kuo might be regaining his mojo.

Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake AND Manny Ramirez (0-for-5 with 3 K's yesterday) are due for the day (or at least the start) off, so expect Juan Castro at short, Blake DeWitt at third and Juan Pierre in left. The Dodgers travel to the warm and caring embrace of San Francisco after today's game for more intra-divisional love. Let's hope they fly into the Bay Area on the wings of a broom.

i heard a radio interview with russ the other day and he was talking about wanting clayton to attack the strike zone a little more. He was saying that his early mentality was to strike guys out rather than for guys to hit bad pitches, which would explain his high pitch count.